Buarthau Cottage, Caernarfon

Buarthau Cottage stands in its own plot near Llanrug, a few miles east of Caernarfon and about five miles from Llanberis, with fields around it and views towards both the mountains and the sea. It is a big house rather than a cosy bolthole, and the parties who bring dogs here are usually bringing everyone else too: three generations, several families sharing, four adults and four children with a couple of dogs. The space is what makes that work, and dog owners consistently say nobody ended up on top of anybody else.

Outside is the real draw. There is a secure garden that guests with dogs describe as genuinely enclosed, and a separate paddock alongside the property that several parties used to give dogs a proper run. A utility room takes muddy paws and feeding bowls, which comes up often from people travelling with animals. Gates can be closed across the sloping driveway, and guests with both dogs and small children mention that as the thing that let them relax, because the drive runs down to a fast road.

There are a few layout points to plan around. The paddock is across the driveway and parking area rather than directly off the garden, so dogs need to be on a lead to reach it. The back garden has an unfenced drop of around three feet onto the patio below, which is worth knowing if a dog is likely to run at it. And while the grounds are generous, guests note there are no walks leading directly from the property, so most outings start with a short drive.

Elsewhere the comments are warm and steady: clean on arrival, a well stocked kitchen, a log burner, welcome treats, and a location that puts Eryri, Anglesey and Beddgelert all within reach. A few guests felt parts of the house could do with modernisation. Best suited to larger groups with dogs who want secure outdoor space and room to spread out, and who do not mind driving to their walks.